10 Key SEO Steps to Optimise Your Google Local Business Listings

10 Key SEO Steps to Optimise Your Google Local Business Listings

Local maps listings are a bit mysterious as they use some factors of traditional SEO but mostly rely on their own specific ranking factors. Here is some info that should help in getting your listing to rank well.

Google Places (also called “Google Maps”) is a great way to find local businesses and get driving directions to where you want to go. Google Maps is also a great way for your company to get new local business since millions of people search Google Maps every day! If you have a business that caters to local customers in your city, a free listing on Google Maps makes it easy for them to find you. Whether you’re a large company or a small “Mom and Pop Shop” start thinking locally because that’s where your customers are. If you’re not promoting your business on Google Maps (and Yahoo! Local), now is the time.

Top 10 ranking factors for local maps listings:

1. Address

2. Categories

3. Keywords in business name

4. Citation Quantity

5. Profile completeness

6. Data consistency across the web (debatable as to the importance of this)

Pick a category from the list of suggestions to help Google show your business for the right searches (although you can always enter your own category if the Local Business Center doesn’t suggest one that fits your business).

Don’t be afraid to choose specific categories instead of broad ones. The important thing is that the categories are accurate and describe your business well.

Still lost, try this step by step guide Optimize Your Listing to Attract Local Website Visitors